Teddi Mellencamp, a former star of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, announced that she has been diagnosed with three new brain tumors and two lung tumors, linked to her ongoing battle with melanoma. She shared this health update on Instagram, expressing optimism as she begins immunotherapy treatment. Over the past two years, she has had 17 melanoma spots removed and recently underwent surgery for four brain tumors. Despite the challenges, including severe headaches and hospitalization, Mellencamp remains grateful for her medical team and is determined to overcome her illness, stating, “one day at a time.”
Teddi Mellencamp has disclosed that she has discovered more tumors in her brain and lungs.
On Thursday, March 6, the former star of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, aged 43, shared a health update on her Instagram account, followed by an addition to her Instagram Stories shortly thereafter.
“I have 3 additional tumors in my brain and 2 tumors on my lungs. These are all a direct result of my melanoma,” she began in her Instagram post. Over the last two years, she has undergone removal of 17 different melanoma spots.
“The medical team is optimistic that these new mutations will be addressed through immunotherapy, which starts on Tuesday at 11 AM,” she added. “I’m feeling hopeful and excited—believing that I will overcome these tumors.”
She also mentioned that she has a new blonde wig, affirming her fondness for short hair, “just not the bald patches.”
“So, as @bravoandy would put it: with all due… f*** off, cancer!”
teddi mellencamp/Instagram
On Tuesday, Feb. 12, Mellencamp disclosed that she was “experiencing severe and debilitating headaches” for several weeks. The “unbearable” pain ultimately “necessitated hospitalization.” Upon admission on Monday, Feb. 11, she underwent a CT scan and MRI, leading doctors to find multiple tumors in her brain, which they suspect had been growing for at least six months.
Four of the tumors were surgically excised on Feb. 12. “The smaller remaining tumors will be treated with radiation at a later time,” she indicated at that moment.
Nearly two weeks later, on Wednesday, Feb. 26, she provided her first update post-surgery. “I am incredibly grateful for the amazing surgeons, doctors, and nurses who made my surgery successful and my recovery process comfortable,” she expressed. “This battle is ongoing, but that round has been secured.”
She also included a video on her Instagram Stories showing the removal of surgical staples from the back of her head.
Two days later, she expressed that she was “prepared for radiation” in an Instagram post on Friday, Feb. 28.
On Tuesday, March 3, she announced her return home from the hospital after a 16-day stay. “Thank you to all my loved ones and life savers for getting me to this day,” she captioned her Instagram Stories.
The podcast host also admitted that it is “undeniably emotional to witness your body transforming due to so much medication from the brain tumors.”
“But I just try to keep in mind how thankful I am that I can move my body again,” she said, tears in her eyes. “One day at a time, and I’ll return to where I want to be, feeling my best.”
Stay updated with the latest stories by signing up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter, offering the best of celebrity news and compelling human interest stories.
Mellencamp’s recent diagnosis adds to her ongoing struggle with skin cancer, with the removal of over 17 melanoma spots—most recently in December 2024.
The National Institute of Health states that up to 60% of advanced melanoma patients develop brain metastases throughout their disease progression, and “the presence of brain metastases significantly deteriorates a patient’s prognosis.” This happens when cancer cells breach the blood-brain barrier.